Astronomy in Nepal

Impact of Astronomical Outreach Impact of Astronomical Outreach in Nepalese Society in Nepalese Society

Impact of Astronomical Outreach Impact of Astronomical Outreach in Nepalese Society in Nepalese Society

By: Riwaj PokhrelBy: Riwaj PokhrelNepal Astronomical Society (NASO)Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)

Kathmandu, Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal

Presented at: CAP2010, Cape Town, South AfricaPresented at: CAP2010, Cape Town, South Africa

Outline:• Astronomy Education

status in Nepal• Working groups• NASO actively working

for popularizing science• Impact of NASO

outreach activities

Astronomy Education status in Nepal

Planetarium and observatory

• Government of Nepal has established B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board in 1992 in order to establish Planetaria, Observatories and Science Museums in Nepal & conduct research activities in the area of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology.

• The observatory is now ready but the planetarium and Science Museum are still under construction.


• Tribhuvan University is only one university which offers Astrophysics and cosmology course in Master’s level.

• The research work in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A) has been started since June 2005. Mr. Sunil Mani Kandel is the first student who completed masters thesis in the field of A&A at the Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University.

University Education


• By 2009 32 students have completed their Masters thesis in A&A. In addition, three students completed their research work as independent contribution.

• Currently, in this session (2009-2010), six students are doing research work for their masters' thesis.

• You can find all the updates on http://astronepal.webs.com

University Education


• Environment and Science in primary Education which covers 10% of the total course

• Astronomy is included in Science lower Secondary and Astronomy is included in Secondary Level which contains 10% of the total course

• In Higher Secondary Level 5% of the total course is covered by astronomy

School Education

Astronomical Communities:Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)Galileo Astronomical Society of Pokhara NepalKosmandu Astronomy

Club,kathmanduBalmiki Campus,KathmanduTakshashila Academy,KathmanduAIM Astro Club,Kathmandu

Amateur working groups

NASO actively working for popularizing science

NASO has five telescopes and binoculars and it organizes star parties in different places.

NASO conducts talk programmes, workshops and seminars.

NASO gives press releases on different astronomical events.

NASO gives lectures on different topics of astronomy for school children collaborating with schools.


NASO actively participate in global events, for eg. IYA2009

NASO has been organizing star parties all over the country.

NASO is launching its website on mid April during Nepali New year.

NASO is planning to organize many other activities in collaboration with other NGO’s and INGO’s.

• Programme: Star party Date:4 January,2009Venue: Kaushal English Boarding School, Balaju, KathmanduNumber of Participants: 100+Remarks: Venus, Jupiter and The Moon were observed during the time.

• Programme: Participation in IAU S 260 The Role of Astronomy in our Society

Date: 19-23 January, 2009Venue: Paris, FranceNumber of participants: 2 from NASORemarks: Rishi Shah and Suresh Bhattarai from NASO

.

Celebration of IYA2009:


• Programme: Comet Lulin Observation CampaignDate: 24 February, 2009Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST),Khumaltar, LalitpurNumber of participants: 60+Remarks: One time comet (parabolic path)

• Programme: Saturn Observation Campaign

Date: 24 February, 2009Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST),Khumaltar, LalitpurNumber of participants: 60+Remarks: Largest moon Titan was also observed.



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Programme: 100 Hours of AstronomyDate: April 2-5, 2009Venue: KathmanduNumber of participants: 300+Remarks: Celebrated in Celebration Co-Ed School,

Jorpati; St. Xavier’s college, Maitighar. This was a cornerstone project of IYA2009

Programme: Release Ceremony of Nepal’s first Astronomy documentary

Date: June 14, 2009Venue: St. Xavier’s college, Maitighar, KathmanduNumber of participants: 150Remarks: Presented by GD Pudasaini and Utsav

Kandel

Programme: Solar Observation Campaign

Date: June 14, 2009

Venue: St. Xavier’s college, Maitighar, Kathmandu

Number of participants: 50

Remarks: Using solar eclipse glasses for the first time in Nepal provided to NASO by EurAstro, Germany

Programme: Solar Eclipse Observation Campaign

Date: July 22, 2009

Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST),Khumaltar, Lalitpur

Number of participants: 300+

Remarks: First eclipse observation programme with solar eclipse glasses. First time in history of Nepal live telecast of solar eclipse from different TV channels and participation of Prime Minister in our programme at NAST ground.





• Programme: Star Peace Event Date: Sept 21, 2009 Venue: Takshashila Academy,Bishalnagar,

Number of participants: 50+ • Programme: Galilean Nights in Nepal

Date: October 23, 2009Venue: DDC Hall, Dhangadi,Kailali,Nepal Number of participants: 1000+



• Programme: Workshop on Astrophotography and Image Processing Date: Nov 15, 2009Venue: Watrin Hall, St. Xavier’s College,Maitighar,Kathmandu,NepalNumber of participants: 120+ Remarks: discussion on astro-tourism

• Programme: Leonids Outburst Observation Campaign 2009Date: Nov 17/18Venue: Nagarkot Hill Station, Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, NepalNumber of participants: 50+

• Programme: Star party at Bhaktapur Durbar SquareDate: Nov 19, 2009Venue: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, NepalNumber of participants: 1000+ Remarks: Great outreach in the history of Nepal



• Programme: Geminid Meteor shower in NepalDate: Dec 14, 2009Venue: H.B. Complex, Lalitpur,Kathmandu,NepalNumber of participants: 30+

Beyond 2009• Talk programme on Annular solar eclipse at NAST, Jan 14,

2010• Solar eclipse observation campaign Jan 15, 2010• Hello Red Planet February 2, 2010• Observation Programme at Central Department of Physics

February 10, 2010• Talk programme at Celebration Co-Ed School,Narayan Taar,

Jorpati on April 1, 2010.• Talk programme ot RIA school on April 3, 2010.• 30 nights of star peace in Nepal: That’s the red planet! On April

7, 2010.• Solar observation campaign on April 11, 2010 from H.B.

complex, Lalitpur.• Astro quitz contest on National TV started from 12 April,

2010.


Impact of NASO activities:

We tried to develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform among students, working professionals and general masses.

We make people especially students think logically and reasonably.

We help people to broaden the knowledge of human beings.

NASO is popularizing all the science activities and hence developing technologically civilized scientific societies.

Reduction of superstitious beliefs. Establishment of Scientific aware society. Increase application of science and

technology in different sectors. People are now Generating income through

astrotourism. Students participating in space science

activities. Development of our country Nepal through

astronomy activities.

Impact of NASO activities:

RESULTS OF THE ACTIVITIES:

Awareness of

astronomical facts

like meteor

showers, eclipse

etc.

Observational Activities is increasing the number of people

believe in science

Reducing superstiti

ous beliefs

Encouraging people to do study and

research

Development of our society

Glimpses of NASO activities

Programme at Dhangadi, far west region of Nepal, October 2009

Grand outreach in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, November 19, 2009


Astrophotography Workshop, November 15, 2009

NASO team with different international groups


Programme at different places


Thank You !!!Riwaj Pokhrel

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)Po.Box 21229

Email: [email protected] URL: http://astronomy-nepal.blogspot.com

Kathmandu, Nepal

THANK YOU !!!

Astronomy in Nepal

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